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Home Repair is Homicide Mysteries Books in Order

16 Books
1997 – 2013 Published
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The Recommended Reading Path

Sarah Graves’ long-running cozy mystery franchise is best read in publication order. Because the books follow the personal life, family developments, and home renovation milestones of protagonist Jacobia 'Jake' Tiptree in a linear sequence, reading them out of order can spoil major character arcs. As Jake restores her 200-year-old Federal-style home in Eastport, Maine, her son grows up, her relationship status evolves, and her ex-husband remains a recurring, complicates presence.

Once you finish the main 16-book series, the story branches into two distinct paths: a darker, police-procedural spin-off focusing on Lizzie Snow (introduced in the final Home Repair book), and a direct cozy mystery sequel series called the Death by Chocolate Mysteries, where Jake and her best friend Ellie White run a local bakery.

Phase 1: The Home Repair is Homicide Mysteries (Chronological & Publication Order)

The main series consists of 16 novels published between 1997 and 2013. Read them in this order:

  1. The Dead Cat Bounce (1997) – Jake Tiptree moves to Eastport, buys a fixer-upper, and immediately finds a corpse in her storeroom, introducing her sleuthing partnership with Ellie White.
  2. Triple Witch (1999) – Financial scandals and dark small-town secrets threaten Eastport, forcing Jake to leverage her former Wall Street skills.
  3. Wicked Fix (2000) – A vengeful sociopath returns to town, mixing deadly danger with Jake's ongoing plumbing disasters.
  4. Repair to Her Grave (2001) – Jake's renovation of her historic home is interrupted by a historic murder investigation.
  5. Wreck the Halls (2001) – A festive holiday mystery where seasonal decorations and deadly motives collide.
  6. Unhinged (2003) – Jake faces a creepy stalker and structural problems that threaten to bring the house down.
  7. Mallets Aforethought (2004) – Renovation tools turn into murder weapons as Jake digs into a cold case.
  8. Tool and Die (2004) – Small-town politics and family drama take center stage when a local is found dead.
  9. Nail Biter (2005) – A mysterious developer arrives in Eastport, leading to suspicious accidents and escalating tension.
  10. Trap Door (2006) – Jake uncovers secret hidden spaces in her historic home that hide decades of deadly history.
  11. The Book of Old Houses (2007) – A rare architectural book holds the key to a series of modern-day crimes.
  12. A Face at the Window (2008) – A dark winter storm isolates Eastport, trapping Jake with a killer.
  13. Crawlspace (2009) – Jake investigates a crime that hits close to home, navigating the literal and metaphorical dark spaces of her town.
  14. Knockdown (2011) – Structural demolition reveals long-buried remains, reigniting old town rivalries.
  15. Dead Level (2012) – Tensions boil over as Jake balances a massive storm, a leaking roof, and a clever murderer.
  16. A Bat in the Belfry (2013) – The final book of the original run. Jake faces a massive storm and a killer alongside newcomer Lizzie Snow, setting up the spin-off.

Phase 2: The Lizzie Snow Spin-Off

Introduced in the final book of the main series, Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Snow is a police officer who moves to the harsh winters of Maine. This short-lived spin-off shifts the tone from lighthearted cozy mystery to a grittier police procedural and thriller:

  1. Winter at the Door (2015) – Lizzie Snow arrives in the remote town of Dead River, Maine, dealing with local hostility and a missing child case.
  2. The Girls She Left Behind (2016) – Lizzie searches for two missing teenagers while facing ghosts from her own police past.

Phase 3: The Death by Chocolate Mysteries (The Cozy Continuation)

If you prefer the cozy, friendly tone of the original series, jump straight from A Bat in the Belfry to this ongoing continuation. Jake and Ellie trade their toolbelts for baking aprons, opening "The Chocolate Moose" bakery in Eastport. The series is currently ongoing:

  1. Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake (2018)
  2. Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake (2019)
  3. Death by Chocolate Frosted Doughnut (2020)
  4. Death by Chocolate Snickerdoodle (2021)
  5. Death by Chocolate Chip Cupcake (2022)
  6. Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie (2023)
  7. Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone (2024)
  8. Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin (2025)
  9. Death by Chocolate Ladyfingers (2026)

Where to Start and Practical Reading Advice

The absolute best place to start is with the first book, The Dead Cat Bounce. Because Sarah Graves builds a rich network of small-town relationships, jumping into the middle of the series can leave readers confused about the recurring characters, such as Jake's son Sam, her ex-husband Victor, her friend Ellie, and her partner Wade. The evolution of Jake's home from a crumbling wreck to a functional sanctuary also mirrors her own emotional healing, making the chronological progression deeply satisfying.

However, if you are more interested in culinary cozy mysteries than home improvement, you can technically start directly with Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake. Graves provides enough back-story context to catch new readers up, though you will miss the rich history of Jake and Ellie's deep-seated friendship and past close calls.

What to Know Before You Start

The Pseudonym: Sarah Graves is the pen name of Mary Squibb. Like her protagonist Jake, Squibb moved from a fast-paced city life to Eastport, Maine, where she and her husband personally renovated a historic, 200-year-old house. This real-life experience shines through in the highly accurate, often humorous descriptions of DIY disasters, scraping plaster, and fixing ancient sills that populate the novels.

The Tone Shift: While the Home Repair and Death by Chocolate books are classic cozy mysteries—featuring quirky townspeople, scenic Maine coastal descriptions, low levels of graphic violence, and warm friendships—the Lizzie Snow books are distinctly darker. Readers expecting the lighthearted banter of Jake Tiptree may find the Lizzie Snow novels to be more intense and crime-focused.

Frequently Asked

QDo I need to read the Home Repair is Homicide books in order?

Yes, it is highly recommended to read them in publication order starting with The Dead Cat Bounce. The overarching story tracking Jake's family life, relationships, and the long-term renovation of her historic home develops continuously across the 16 books.

QWhat is the relationship between the Home Repair series and the Death by Chocolate series?

The Death by Chocolate Mysteries are a direct sequel and continuation of the Home Repair is Homicide series. They feature the same main characters, Jake Tiptree and Ellie White, but shift their primary activity from house restoration to running a chocolate bakery in Eastport, Maine.

QWho is Lizzie Snow and how does she fit into the reading order?

Lizzie Snow is a police officer introduced in the final Home Repair book, A Bat in the Belfry. She subsequently stars in her own two-book spin-off series (Winter at the Door and The Girls She Left Behind), which features a darker, police-procedural tone.

QIs Eastport, Maine, a real place?

Yes, Eastport, Maine, is a real coastal city. Author Sarah Graves (the pen name of Mary Squibb) lives there and based Jake's 200-year-old house and the local geographical details on her own real-life home and town.

QAre there DIY tips in the Home Repair is Homicide books?

Yes! Every book in the original series is packed with authentic details, struggles, and practical advice on home repair and historic preservation, drawn from the author's personal experience renovating her own old house.

QWhich book should I read first to start the entire franchise?

You should start with The Dead Cat Bounce, published in 1997 (sometimes listed as 1998), which introduces Jake Tiptree, Ellie White, and the town of Eastport.